XTX Skid options

[00-NUKE]

I am curious what all of the options are for a different skid on the XTX. So far I am aware of the Star suspension kit on the stock rear skid, the ZX2, and retro fitting a Cat, Ski-Doo, or Polaris skid. Does anyone know of any others? Thanks.

 

[MrSled]

Basically, you can retro any skid into an XTX.... you find something cool and we can put it in.

 

[Off Trail Mike]

X2 MrSled

Describe your riding style, Trail or Powder? and most importantly...budget.

Sky's the limit really, and although the Yami skid is respectable, it's not the best by far, and I am sure others would agree. Timbersled new or old style, K-mod, ZX2, ez-ride, are all awesome, not to mention Cat and Polaris retro's into our tunnels.

I put in "aftermarket suspension" on the old TY search an only got 600 pages of results.....yep, a few comments out there to help you with your decision.

Start with the basics, and I am sure lot's of guys here can help with your decision.

OTM

 

[00-NUKE]

X2 MrSled

Describe your riding style, Trail or Powder? and most importantly...budget.

Sky's the limit really, and although the Yami skid is respectable, it's not the best by far, and I am sure others would agree. Timbersled new or old style, K-mod, ZX2, ez-ride, are all awesome, not to mention Cat and Polaris retro's into our tunnels.

I put in "aftermarket suspension" on the old TY search an only got 600 pages of results.....yep, a few comments out there to help you with your decision.

Start with the basics, and I am sure lot's of guys here can help with your decision.

OTM

I am a true X-over junkie. I prefer ditch riding which many people out of Minnesota are not familiar with because off trail exploring is not allowed in many other states. The 144 with the tip-up is PERFECT! I want to keep the tip-up in the rear if I go aftermarket. The M10 by Fast looks like a proven rear skid. I will research the ez-ride and K-mod you mentioned. If the Nytro didn't allow the rider to stand up through the rough stuff so easily, I would have sold this sled a long time ago. This rear suspension SUCKS! It's hard for me to believe that the star suspension kit can make this skid that much better. The saying goes.... You can polish a terd, but you still have a terd! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Off Trail Mike]

Nuke:

If you are a ditch banger/crossover rider, you might be suprised by this, but I would consider replacing the front end before the skid! The skid may suck, but not nearly as much as the front end.

The Skinz Concept front end is available in 42 inches with anti-swaybar mounts, and it really improves handling. Z-Bros have one too, but not sure if you can get it in a 42"

All the high siding the nytro is notorious for is basically eliminated with the SPG front end. I run the Skinz concept @ 39" on my MTX and even with a 153 AC skid which has no rail tip up, it still turns pretty well on chewed up trails, something I never would have thought possible.

Not to hijack, but the question I'd put out there is, if given the choice, whether or not TY'ers would replace the skid FIRST or the front end. The skid definitely benefits from revalving, although it is pretty adjustable by varying compression/rebound and preload and ultimately spring rate (i.e different torsion springs). But the stock front end has a fundadamental problem with its wheelbase being too short and poor caster. Both SPG and Z-Bros tackled these issues and have made great strides in getting the Nytro's to handle.

My view is simple: There is over 200lbs of weight on each ski and maybe half that on the skid, so getting the front end dialed in is paramount if you want these beasts to handle.

Sorry for confusing the issue, but if ditch banging is what you are after, the front end improvements might get you closer to what you are looking for, rather than swaping skids....and probably a grand cheaper.

Just my 2 cents,

OTM.

 

[00-NUKE]

Nuke:

If you are a ditch banger/crossover rider, you might be suprised by this, but I would consider replacing the front end before the skid! The skid may suck, but not nearly as much as the front end.

The Skinz Concept front end is available in 42 inches with anti-swaybar mounts, and it really improves handling. Z-Bros have one too, but not sure if you can get it in a 42"

All the high siding the nytro is notorious for is basically eliminated with the SPG front end. I run the Skinz concept @ 39" on my MTX and even with a 153 AC skid which has no rail tip up, it still turns pretty well on chewed up trails, something I never would have thought possible.

Not to hijack, but the question I'd put out there is, if given the choice, whether or not TY'ers would replace the skid FIRST or the front end. The skid definitely benefits from revalving, although it is pretty adjustable by varying compression/rebound and preload and ultimately spring rate (i.e different torsion springs). But the stock front end has a fundadamental problem with its wheelbase being too short and poor caster. Both SPG and Z-Bros tackled these issues and have made great strides in getting the Nytro's to handle.

My view is simple: There is over 200lbs of weight on each ski and maybe half that on the skid, so getting the front end dialed in is paramount if you want these beasts to handle.

Sorry for confusing the issue, but if ditch banging is what you are after, the front end improvements might get you closer to what you are looking for, rather than swaping skids....and probably a grand cheaper.

Just my 2 cents,

OTM.

I've thought of this as well, and have already made improvements to my front end and weight transfer along with 42 lbs of weight reduction in the front end. This is not quite to the extent that the SPG front end kit adds, but effective. The problem with going the route of the concept fron end at this point is that I would be investing a minimum of $1,600 for the SPG and would still have crappy rear suspension. Thank you for your suggestion, but unfortunately I'm going to have to stick with rear skid improvements as my handeling may not be the best, but pretty darn good.

 

[nate007]

The stock XTX skid can be tweaked enough to make it a respectable piece, I swapped an XTX skid into my Apex and had the shocks re-valved, added the spring spacers and I really like it! There's tons of adjustments to the skid, and (in my opinion) for the usual ditch banging type of riding, I think it would probably take more money and work than worth it to make a substantial enough performance gain?
My vote would be for the effort to go into the front end, where handling issues are more of a priority, and a larger benifit can be had from bolt on parts. I have yet to hear anything but praise regarding the Skins front end, or from the OFT steering re-locator, or even a simple shock re-valve and alignment tweaks, etc.
I'd start up front first.

 

[00-NUKE]

The stock XTX skid can be tweaked enough to make it a respectable piece, I swapped an XTX skid into my Apex and had the shocks re-valved, added the spring spacers and I really like it! There's tons of adjustments to the skid, and (in my opinion) for the usual ditch banging type of riding, I think it would probably take more money and work than worth it to make a substantial enough performance gain?
My vote would be for the effort to go into the front end, where handling issues are more of a priority, and a larger benifit can be had from bolt on parts. I have yet to hear anything but praise regarding the Skins front end, or from the OFT steering re-locator, or even a simple shock re-valve and alignment tweaks, etc.
I'd start up front first.

I'll see what I can do with the stock rear skid. The biggest problem that I have with it is that I only want it a little on the stiff side. But when I soften up from extremely stiff, the rear sags about 2 inches and it bottoms too easy. There is no happy medium. I'll see what I can do with a little valving and possibly even try the Star Suspension kit. If I can save enough money on the rear, I'll look into the SPG front end.

Thanks Guys.

 

[yamadoo]

00 -nuke,

Are you "softening up" the shock compression or the SPRING pre load?

Yamadoo

 

[nate007]

00-Nuke,
Try the HYgear spring spacers, I think it will help with what you are concerned about. The factory springs do sit somewhat crooked on the shaft, which causes irreglar spring rates and binding. I noticed a huge difference after installing them, and Im running stock XTX springs in an Apex, which is 60+ pounds heavier. Also, take some time and make sure everything is greased real well with a quality low-temp, water proof grease I have used Lubriplate, Lucas and Royal Purple greases on my sleds with good results.

 

[00-NUKE]

Thanks for the info.

Yamadoo,

I have tried both. It seems the best to run the pre-load on the medium setting and run the shocks about 4-6 clicks from full stiff.

nate007,

I have the Hygear spacers. They help but have "little" improvement. I run nothing but Royal Purple in my rear skid. I would be willing to try something else, but have had really good luck with it in the past. I am running a Hygear dual rate spring on the forward skid shock as well.

 

[nate007]

I am running a stock spring, so I can't say I have any experience tuning that one, but it does sound like a re-valve would help alot since it can be valved to your riding prefference. I had Pioneer do all my shocks, and if I remember right, it runs about $60 per shock, and that made all the difference in the world.
The Yamaha skid may not be as much of a mogul masher as some would like, but with the right tweaks it can be darned close for alot less cash and work than a swap...

 

[00-NUKE]

I am running a stock spring, so I can't say I have any experience tuning that one, but it does sound like a re-valve would help alot since it can be valved to your riding prefference. I had Pioneer do all my shocks, and if I remember right, it runs about $60 per shock, and that made all the difference in the world.
The Yamaha skid may not be as much of a mogul masher as some would like, but with the right tweaks it can be darned close for alot less cash and work than a swap...

I'll give it a try. I weigh about 200lbs and usually ride with a backpack. I'm sure the stock GYTR shocks aren't set up for that much weight. I planned on getting the fronts re-valved anyway.

Thanks again.

 

[rlcofmn]

Expert X, or someone needs to try a nextec mono skid! I love the looks of it but never had the oprotunity to ride one.

 

[nate007]

Stock sleds are built for 180 lb riders, so you're not too far off. Re-valve it, and take the time to dig into fine tuning the sleds front and rear together, and im sure you'll be happy with it